Five years ago, Tristan Kendall left home and the woman he loved to prove himself on the sport bike racing circuit. With his career briefly on hold, he’s come to realize everything - and everyone - he ever wanted was right at home all along. Now he’s determined to win back her heart no matter the cost.

But Victoria Lane’s been through more than Tristan knows since he broke her heart. No longer the girl he once knew, she has a life to live, and a heart to give, but only to someone who’s planning to stick around. And she’s sure that isn’t him. Can he convince her that she’s the only victory lane he wants to be in?

Tristan Kendall wove his blue Yamaha R1 motorcycle in and out of traffic on I-270 in Maryland at over 140 mph. His sport bike was a marvel of engineering that allowed a rider to aggressively mate with it like two lovers in spoon position. Speeding up as he neared his hometown, he glanced in the rearview mirror. The cop behind him had grown smaller and smaller with each mile, but Tristan knew that if he didn’t get off the highway soon, police reinforcements would arrive. They’d never catch him, but one picture of his license plate and he’d get more than just a speeding ticket. Assuming he didn’t wreck and end up dead.

When he pulled off onto the winding back roads and slowed down, the cop didn’t see him exit. Familiar sights caused memories of home to return. He hadn’t been back in five years and more houses had sprung up. The plague of suburbia seemed to crowd in a bit more on the rural town of Comus, creeping up from D.C. to the south. One day there’d surely be a skyscraper in his backyard, but for now rolling farmlands dotted the landscape. Despite his familiarity with the roads, he rode them cautiously, his green eyes alert for patches of dirt or leftover road salt from winter storms. They could send him skidding off the pavement.

As if to prove his point, he came around a curve to find that another sport bike and its rider weren’t wrapped around each other anymore. The bike was upside down against a sapling. The rider stood with hands on hips, staring at the flipped-over Suzuki Hayabusa that no one would be taking for a spin anytime soon by the look of the chain, which had disengaged from the rear sprocket to drape near the ground. The clutch lever on the left handlebar hung loose as if snapped, paint had scratched off, and small dents had damaged the body work. Tristan quickly dismounted, running into the tall grass beside the rider.

“Hey, are you all right?” he asked.

The rider turned and Tristan stopped short, his gaze riveted on the rider’s brown eyes, which reminded him of melted chocolate, long lashes framing them. A spark of anger gleamed within. Her posture was defiant. His pulse raced faster now than in the last hour. Even with her helmet still on, the visor up, her face radiated beauty, though he couldn’t see more than those eyes and cheekbones, making him desperately curious to see more. Full breasts strained at the form-fitting leather suit of red and white. Her zipper was down enough to reveal magnificent cleavage pushed up like two mountains of fleshy delights that Sugarloaf Mountain behind them could not compete with; not all of Mother Earth’s mounds were created equal.

“I’m fine,” said the woman, hardly sparing him a fiery glance.

“Are you sure? Maybe you should get checked out.”

“I’m standing, aren’t I?”

He nodded, wondering if her bravado was covering for her being shaken up. By the look of the scene, she’d likely tumbled through the grass and that was all. They silently gazed at the Hayabusa together. “That was a nice bike.”

“Was being the operative word.”

He shrugged. “I’ve seen worse. It can be fixed.”

“Yeah,” she said, not sounding convinced.

“What happened?”

“Deer.”

He cringed. “Ouch. That could’ve been a lot worse. Fatal, even. Whatever move you pulled to avoid colliding was worth it.”

She cocked an eyebrow at him, her face softening. “Thanks,” she said, noting the blonde hair peeking out from the back of his helmet. He hadn’t lifted the mirror visor, which hid his face. All she could see under the helmet were a sexy neck, Adam’s apple, and stubble, besides broad shoulders on a lean frame. He wore faded blue jeans, black boots, and a blue t-shirt under a white-and-blue summer riding jacket. “You always leave your visor down?”

“Sorry. No. It broke this morning. If I get it up, I won’t be able to get it back down, and catching a bug in the face sucks.”

“You have trouble getting it up?”

He hadn’t expected the joke and laughed, exaggerating the motion of looking her up and down. “Not at the moment.” Thinking she seemed amused, he added, “Well, you’re gonna need a ride. Can I take you somewhere? Like my place?”

The look in her eyes wavered between mirth and annoyance. “Does that line work on anyone?”

“You’d be surprised,” he said. Sensing that maybe his repartee hadn’t gone over well, he added, “Sorry. Not a great time for jokes. I was just trying to lighten things up. I know a fall can scare the crap of you.”

She nodded. “Crash much? Maybe I should get a ride from someone else.”

“You might be out here a while if you want to wait. You got a phone to call someone?”

Shaking her head, she said, “Didn’t bring it.”

“Mine died earlier. Forgot to charge it at my last stop. I can run by Clarksburg Motorsports and tell them to come get you. It’s about fifteen minutes away. They’ll need to come anyway to get the bike unless you want someone else to haul it.”

She turned to him and sighed, seeming resigned. “No. I know the place. That’s where I bought it. And they service it. I don’t feel like standing here for the time they’ll take to get here. Let’s go.” She headed toward his bike and he followed through the tall grass. He lowered the rear foot pegs and got on the front seat.

He had a knack for making suggestive remarks that were technically innocent, so he said, as if unaware of the double-entendre, “I don’t usually let a woman ride my crotch rocket so soon after meeting.”

“I find that hard to believe,” she said, smiling wryly. She stepped on a peg, grabbed his shoulder, and easily lifted herself behind him, sitting down gracefully. She squeezed her legs against his, her crotch against his ass. “Take me to the strip mall in Comus. I work there.”

“Okay.” Over one shoulder, he advised, “Try to find something hard to hold onto.”

“I’m afraid to ask what you had in mind.” She put her visor back down and wrapped both arms around him from behind.

“You’re gonna want to grip harder than that,” he said, starting the engine, which came to life with a loud growl due to the aftermarket exhaust system he’d installed. When she didn’t hold tighter, he smirked and took off with a small wheelie that caused her to yelp in surprise and squeeze hard with both arms and legs, her head pressed against his back. He let the wheel down softly and noticed she didn’t lighten her grip as he continued more safely, the heat of her warming him through his back, legs, and ass.

He was no stranger to women mounting his crotch rocket, whether that was his bike or not. Those who rode one were willing to ride the other. The lone exception had been Victoria, his high school sweetheart. Her father had been killed in a motorcycle accident, making her deathly afraid of them and for Tristan once they’d fallen in love. His high-speed shenanigans had caused no end of fights. When she found out he wanted to be a pro rider, she’d freaked. He’d certainly never gotten her onto the bike, which had bothered him. If you can’t share one love of your life with the other love of your life, something’s amiss. For him, it had taken some of the steam out of their bond and ultimately made it easier for him to leave town, even though he understood her fears. He hadn’t seen her in the five years since or learned what became of her except that she’d left town, too, but he was hoping to find out something about that now that he was back, however briefly. Maybe he’d even go looking for her.

The girl currently on his bike—and he only now realized he hadn’t gotten her name—distracted him from the thought when she unzipped his jacket some and slid one hand inside. Tristan’s pulse raced, his hand inadvertently pulling on the throttle so the bike revved like his heart. Her hand caressed his chest a few times, giving him a squeeze before dropping to his belly, running over his six-pack abs slowly, as if counting the ripples under the shirt. He struggled to keep his mind on the road and half-wondered if this is how she’d crashed. Had she been riding with some other guy and made him leave the road, his body nowhere in sight among the wreckage?

The thought brought him to his senses, but not for long. Her other hand slipped down to his inner thigh, close to his growing erection, and she playfully squeezed his ass with her legs, making him wish he was facing the other way and buck naked. This woman would be the death of them both, but if he got her back to her place and got her to mount his other rocket, the sex just might be worth the risk of bodily harm now. He’d give her a lift-off worthy of a Space Shuttle launch and all the media coverage that came with.

By the time they pulled into the only strip mall in Comus, where four businesses lay in a row, with parking out front, his visor had begun to fog up. His passenger pointed at a shop that said “Pilates” above it, and he smiled to himself as they parked before it, hoping she was an instructor. Flexibility in a woman was a good thing.

Looking for an excuse to get inside, he asked, “Can I use your bathroom?”

“Sure,” she said, turning toward the door and pulling her helmet off with her back to him. A tumble of silken brown hair fell out over her leather-covered back. She unlocked the door and went in without looking at him. He followed, fumbling with his helmet strap, finally getting the whole thing off just as she turned to face him. He barely saw her face before she slapped him.

“You bastard!” she screamed. “Get out!”

The color drained from Tristan’s face before anger brought it back in a flash. Then he got a good look at her and his mouth fell open.

Randi Everheart is an avid author of romance, due in no small part to being a diehard romantic. After all, Randi once wrote a song for the object of a crush and penned a fifty page love letter for another! The same spirit now flows into these stories – hopefully to win your heart!

Randi has a Bachelors of Music in classical guitar but has always been more of a rocker, having released several albums under another name. Tendonitis in both arms ended career plans in music, leading to a new career as a software developer. Today Randi co-owns a software consulting firm and lives in the Maryland suburbs north of D.C., is married, and loves spending time with son Ryan when not writing, playing guitar or golf, or writing smut.

Monday, January 26, 2015

Gail
is only twenty-two years old and her mom is dying. Not just dying,
she will be dead in a few days, if the doctors are to be trusted, and
Gail is certain she herself won't survive that. After a run in with
Scott, the hot gardener from next door, Gail begins to see him as the
perfect distraction from her unbearable life. It's not love Gail
wants. She just wants to feel good with someone who makes her forget,
if only for a little while, and Scott fits that description
perfectly.

Scott just got back into town and he's still trying
to get his life back together. He already has more problems and
regrets than he can ever hope to live with, and the last thing he
needs is to get tangled up with a rich girl who is clearly a little
unsettled, if not downright insane. But the fact that Gail is very
attractive and keeps throwing herself at him makes it impossible to
keep sending her away. Which he should, for Gail's sake more than his
own.

Lena
Bourne

Excerpt:

Not
Looking For Love: Episode 1

Chapter
1 Excerpt:

I crawl through the
hole in the fence that separates my garden from Kate's. It's a tight
fit, now that I'm no longer five years old. Chairs and towels, empty
glasses and discarded clothes are still strewn across the lawn, but,
thankfully, no one is around. Likely, the cold dawn chased the last
of the party away. I glance up at the house to make sure no one is
watching. All the windows are dark. A light reflects in the first
floor windows, and I drop into a crouch reflexively, but it's just a
passing car.

I find my dress near
the pool where I took it off to take a dip. Right before Brandon
tossed me in. I just left it lying there when I ran home. Everyone
must think I'm completely mental now. I hope Brandon does too. Why
won't he just take a hint? Brandon is Kate's brother, and since she's
like a sister to me, he's like a brother to me. I can't be dating my
brother. Besides he's the love 'em and leave 'em type, and all he can
give me is a broken heart. Like he did with his last five
girlfriends. As if my heart could take any more breaking.

I look around,
tossing things aside, not caring where they land, hoping to find the
bracelet. It's not anywhere. The sun's not up yet, but birds are
chirping something awful all around me, and the sky is more white
than grey now. Dawn is my favorite time of day. I love watching the
colors of the sky change from inky black to grey to lilac blue and
finally yellow, the new day being born, bringing new hope. Today, I
just wish the sun would come up.

If the bracelet is
not in the grass, it might be in the pool. The thought of going back
in the water makes me shiver, but my desperation to get the bracelet
back right away is stronger.

I ease myself off the
side of the pool in roughly the spot where I went in before, feet
first, trying not to make any sound that could wake Kate's family.
It's like slow torture to do it that way, and my whole body cramps
up, but the last thing I need is to cause a panic. I could just go
back home and come back once the sun is up, but I can't. I need that
bracelet, or else I won't sleep.

The cold water grips
my body like a vice and I take shallow breaths until the worst of the
pain passes. The lights in the pool are off already, they're
connected to the porch lights, and someone thoughtfully turned them
all off after the party ended. Too thoughtfully. I could really use
those lights right now.

After a final deep
breath, I submerge my head, fighting the overwhelming urge to gasp as
the cold water goes straight to my brain, which is what it feels
like. I can almost see the steam coming off, but at least my heart is
no longer pounding. I let myself float on the surface, scanning the
floor of the pool. Lucky really, that Kate's pool is saltwater. I can
float, eliminating the need to tread water to keep myself on the
surface.

Shadows play upon the
mosaic floor of the pool, all blues, whites, yellows, and pinks. I
turn slightly to adjust my angle of view. No silver gleams against
the tiles anywhere. I only come up for air once my lungs start
burning and dip my face back in immediately. Grey is giving way to
white in the sky now, so the visibility should soon improve. I'm
enjoying the silence, the serenity of floating in the water, with my
long hair plastered down my ears, blocking out the chirping birds.

The eerie silence is
almost like diving, only without the crushing weight of the water
pressing against me. But I can't see my bracelet anywhere, and no
doubt the servants will be out cleaning up soon. I adjust my angle
again and am just about to come up for more air when something grabs
my waist and flips me over in the water.

I scream and flail,
gulp water instead of air, with visions of a shark attacking vivid in
my mind. Beating and kicking, I paddle hard to get out of the water,
my hair obscuring my vision.

Whatever grabbed me
is no longer touching me, but I kick back to the side of the pool
frantically anyway, still coughing, still seeing nothing. My knuckles
collide with the wall of the pool, but I ignore the pain, scraping my
knees as I struggle out of the water. My arms are shaking so badly I
can't lift myself up to get out of the pool

I'm panting now, but
at least I'm not swallowing water anymore. I brush my hair from my
eyes and stand up, though my legs are shaking so hard I'll probably
just topple back down even if I succeed.

The guy is still in
the water, eyeing me like I'm insane. "Are you alright?"

I nod as I finally
manage to stand.

He hoists himself
from the water in one fluid motion. His white t-shirt is plastered
against his chest, and his grey pants hug his legs tightly. He's all
muscle, from his biceps, to his shoulders, chest, and stomach that
ripples in a neat six-pack. And not those chiseled for-show muscles
that otherwise thin guys have. He's bulky, twice as wide as any guy I
know. Even his legs. No wonder he had no problem tossing me out of
the pool.

"Are you
alright?" he asks again, standing right in front of me now.

I quickly look up
into his face, hoping he didn't notice me checking him out before. He
can't be much older than me, I see now. His short blond hair looks
black near his scalp, but stands up in light colored spikes all over
his head. His eyes are either blue or grey—the kind of eyes that
change color according to the light. And deep. I could stare at his
eyes all day long just to see what I could see.

Lena
Bourne is a young writer, but she has seen her fair share of the
world, of love and loss, and all that happens in between. Now she’s
here telling the stories you might otherwise have missed, which are
made up, of course, but could very well be real and true. Not Looking
For Love is her first serial, a steamy New Adult romance, which will
be released in five installments over the next few months.

Saturday, January 10, 2015

Do you or the kiddo in your life have a new (or not so new) kindle you need to fill up? I've got 99 cents stories for all ages and from different authors.Take a second and check it out! What have you got to lose?http://www.pinterest.com/pennyestelle/

Escaping
her father's killer, Aleksandra rode the Pony Express—full speed
into the middle of the Indian Paiute Wars.

She
didn’t expect to become a target, but she is one now!

Seventeen
year old Aleksandra, trained in the Cossack arts from infancy by her
father, finds herself alone and running to prevent her Pa's killer
from obtaining a secret coveted by the Russian Czar, one which could
alter the forces of power in Europe. Disguised as a Pony Express
rider in 1860's Utah Territory, she finds herself in even deeper
trouble. Her Californio boss Xavier has a strength to match her own,
but can they overcome their differences before the ever-increasing
odds overtake them?

With
this debut Western
Historical Adventure,
Lizzi Tremayne won the 2014 RWNZ Pacific Hearts Award and was a
finalist in the 2013 Great Beginnings A
saga of the Old West with a multicultural cast of those who make up
America, it would interest readers who enjoy Westerns, horses,
American Indians, immigrants, and the Pony Express. It has a capable
heroine, strong historical detail, period veterinary treatment and
frontier-pushing characters. It compares to the work of Phillipa
Gregory, Diana Gabaldon and Jean Auel, with a little Laura Ingalls
Wilder thrown in.

This
novel is the first in The
Long Trail
quadrilogy of historical adventure sagas following her characters
from the wilderness of 1860 Utah to Colonial New Zealand.

Lookout
Pass, she reminded herself as she neared the summit. Glancing north
to the distant white tops of the Onaqui Mountains, she swallowed hard
as she thought again of her papa and the fossil he'd fossicked for
her from its rocky ledges.

The
spotted pony broke into a lope over the crest of the hill and began
the mile-long descent. Aleksandra's thoughts filled with memories,
she was absentmindedly fingering the fossil inside the medicine bag
hung about her neck when she felt the first arrow whizz past her
head.

Her
heart stopped in its tracks and she flung herself to the left side of
the Palouse's neck in a Cossack hang, lying flat against his side.

'Yah!
Yah! Let's go, Scout!' she shouted, throwing the reins at him.

He
needed little urging to run full tilt down the steep and
treacherously rocky trail as the yells of Indian warriors echoed
through the narrow valley. The arrows came hard and fast from the
southwest, screaming like a mad bunch of hornets.

Smart.
Her lips curved in the hint of a wry grin.

The
Indians had placed themselves between the trail and the setting sun,
so Aleksandra couldn't see her attackers in the glimpses she
stole,from beneath Scout's neck, of the world whizzing past. With the
ground only three feet from her head, the scent of sage filled her
nostrils when Scout crashed through a clump of brush. Briefly
considering letting go of one of her death-grip holds onto the racing
horse to pull a gun from her holster, something akin to suicide, she
tightened her lip in a grimace and stayed put, trusting far more in
the Palouse's speed and handiness to save them. Knowing her weight
hanging off to one side had to put him off his best, she tried to
stay out of his way, keeping as still as possible, tucked down on the
side of the skidding and leaping beast. Praying the cinch would hold,
she sent fervent thanks to the pony selectors for their choice of
horses.

How
I would love to have my bow and arrows, but I only need to get us
through to Doc Faust at Rush—

The
Palouse interrupted her musings as he threw up his head and reared,
angrily trumpeting and shaking his head for a moment, nearly dropping
Aleksandra, then resumed his headlong rush down the hill. When he
carried on, she heard whistling sounds with every breath and turned
her face forward to see where the noise was coming from.

Monday, January 5, 2015

In anticipation of the June release of Book 3: Gambling On A Dream, Kensington
Publishing has put Book 1: Gambling On A
Secret on sale!

***ON SALE
FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY FOR $0.99***

Blurb:

When Charli bets everything on a secret, will she find the deck stacked
against her?

Former
runaway-turned heiress Charli Monroe is hiding her sordid past and planning a
future in Colton, Texas.
Attending the local college for a degree in social work, she intends to raise
cattle on her newly purchased ranch, which she plans to open as a home for
troubled teens. Only a few glitches—the Victorian mansion is crumbling, the
barn needs a roof, and her oilman neighbor wants more than friendship. When she
meets Dylan Quinn, Charli is willing to take a chance on the town drunk to help her rebuild the rundown ranch.

Dylan has his demons, too. The
former Special Forces commander can’t get past his ex-wife’s betrayal and the
botched mission that left him with much more than a bad limp. Certain the
greedy oilman next door to Charli wants much more than just her heart, Dylan’s
even willing to stop drinking in order to protect her.

When things get dangerous and
secrets of the past are revealed, is he only looking out for his new employer,
or is she the new start he so desperately needs?

COVER QUOTE: “Full of intrigue, tangled pasts, and raw
emotions, this one is guaranteed to keep you turning pages from start to finish
and then wishing for one more chapter!”
Carolyn Brown, New York Times bestselling author.

“HONESTLY this was a FABULOUS read. Gambling on a Secret is a gripping,
entertaining and an absolutely delightful romantic read which is set in the
town of Colton located in Texas. Sara Walter Ellwood has scored with
this book. This has been one of my favourite reads for 2013…” Read the rest of this 5 Satin
Pillow review at Satin Sheets Romance

Excerpt:

Dylan regarded her
for a long moment and cocked a brow. Damn, was he making fun of her? He looked
her up and down. “Wouldn’t a woman like you be more comfortable getting
manicures and massages in a Dallas
spa, not worrying about cattle breeds and barn roofs? It’s no secret around
town you’re the heiress to the Monroe Farm Equipment fortune, and you sold a
huge ranch in Oklahoma
your grandfather left you. Why on Earth did you buy a dump like this?”

Now he’d pissed
her off. Charli might have more money than she’d ever dreamed of having. She
might like to dress in designer clothes, but it was none of this jerk’s
business which ranch she bought. Or why she wanted it. She had a business plan
and a vision for the ranch; what else mattered? “I happen to like this place.
It suits me better than the ranch I sold.”

“Is that so?
Did you bring any equipment with you? A tractor, a planter, hay mower, baler,
anything?”

He would bring
up one of the stupidest things she’d done. Sighing, she admitted, “I sold the
equipment with the ranch when I decided to leave Oklahoma. One more reason I need a manager.”
Her cheeks burned. “When I sold the ranch after inheriting it, I didn’t intend
to buy another.”

“Why did you
buy another ranch?” He slid his gaze back to hers and peered at her as if he
could read her every thought--but what had her swallowing hard was the spark of
something hot in his eyes.

She tightened
her arms in the hug she gave herself--a self-protecting, insecure gesture she’d
acquired while she lived with her abusive lover in Las Vegas as a teenage runaway.

“Buying a ranch
the size of this one isn’t something most folks just wake up and decide to do,
Miss Monroe. A ten-thousand-acre spread takes commitment and dedication and is
damned hard work.”

Yeah, she knew
that.

He looked down
at her multicolored Manolo Blahnik five-inch heeled slides. The ghost of a
smile touched his lips again, but this time little crinkles formed at the
corners of his eyes, which held a spark of interest she didn’t want.

Damn, he was
good-looking. She squelched that notion like the roach she’d killed earlier in
the house. Hadn’t her life with Ricardo taught her a handsome face meant
nothing but trouble?

“I can’t
imagine you stuffing those pampered and polished feet into rubber boots to muck
around in the barn.”

Me, either.
But she would if she had to.

She drew in a
breath and dropped her arms to her sides. “I think we should get back to asking
questions about you. When your sister called about my newspaper ad, she said
you were exactly what I’m looking for.”

He shrugged
again in a not-a-care-in-the-world way again. What was this guy’s problem? If
she weren’t running out of time, she would tell him to leave. She couldn’t
waste this year, which meant she had to get someone hired. And her prospects
were limited.

“Can
you do the job?”

“Affirmative.”

She waited for
him to elaborate, but when he didn’t, she frowned. “Do you have any
references?”

“I expected you
to ask. Everything you need to know should be in here.”

She moved
closer and took the folded sheet of paper he held out the window. After
glancing at it, she wasn’t surprised it was a resume, but his listed experience
had her heart beating a little faster. She looked up at him. “You have a degree
in agricultural business from Texas A & M, started up your own ranch and
served in the Army?”

He looked off
in the distance. “I was in the service for thirteen years, three years in the
Corps of Engineers, four in Airborne and the last six in Special Forces.” His
jaw clenched, making his face the chiseled block of cold stone again. “And I
know something about building. When I wasn’t deployed, I built the house and
barn on my two-hundred acre ranch.”

“You don’t own
the ranch now?”

“No. My ex-wife
got it in our divorce settlement. I planned to get out of the Army after my
last tour in Afghanistan
and raise cattle. But things never happen the way we want them to.”

The bitterness
of his tone had her stepping away. She shivered again and busied herself with
looking at the resume. Whatever his ex-wife had done to him, it wasn’t good.
“Your reference list is pretty skimpy.”

“The first name
is my old commander, but I just got word he’s shipped out on a secret mission.”

Something
wasn’t adding up. Either he was hiding something or his sister had lied about
his experience. “Your sister said you worked on Oak Springs Ranch while in high
school, but it’s not listed on your resume. Are you related to the owner, Leon
Ferguson? You said your mother grew up there.”

His eyes
narrowed and his lips thinned into a tight line. “Leon is my mother’s stepbrother.
While my grandfather was still alive and ran the ranch, I worked there until I
joined the Army after he died. I chose not to mention it.”

But why? She
didn’t press the matter. She wasn’t seriously considering him for the job
anyway, was she?

She studied the
resume again. “Brenda Dailey. Is this person off-limits, too? Or can I speak
with her?”

“My ex-wife.
I’d appreciate it if you don’t involve her. I put her on there because of the
ranch.”

She looked up
at him. “The divorce that bad, huh?”

Dylan shrugged
and looked away. He gripped the top of the steering wheel hard enough to whiten
his knuckles. “Suppose it’s no secret. Our divorce has only been final four
months, and she married her baby-daddy the day after it became official. You
figure it out.”

“Ouch. Okay, I
won’t call your ex. Nevertheless, I’d like to see your house. Your sister
mentioned you were a carpenter.” She glanced at the address of his former
ranch. “Killeen’s
south of here?”

He nodded.
“It’s your two hours and tank of gas.”

“Thank you for
stopping by. Your number’s on here. I’ll call you.”

“Thanks for
your time, Miss Monroe. Good luck with this place.” He looked around at the
buildings and over her before he turned the key in the ignition. The rusted
bucket of bolts sputtered and the starter groaned before the engine turned
over.

As he pulled
away, she looked at the piece of paper in her shaky hand and studied his name
at the top.

Damn, she’d
hoped he was the one.

She crumpled
the paper, and the memory of his weathered eyes, as dull and gray as her ranch
buildings, came to her. What ghosts did he see when he closed them?

She opened her
palm and stared at the wad of paper. Feeling haunted by the past was something
she understood very well.

Although Sara Walter Ellwood has long ago left the farm for
the glamour of the big town, she draws on her experiences growing up on a small
hobby farm in West Central Pennsylvania to write her contemporary westerns.
She’s been married to her college sweetheart for over 20 years, and they have
two teenagers and one very spoiled rescue cat named Penny. She longs to visit
the places she writes about and jokes she’s a cowgirl at heart stuck in Pennsylvania suburbia.
Sara Walter Ellwood is a multi-published and international Amazon bestselling author
of the anthology set Cowboy Up. She
also publishes paranormal romantic suspense under the pen name Cera
duBois.

For the "Young At Heart"

Below are stories for the older crowd. Historical western romances, contemporary romances, and a paranormal romance! There is also a family drama and a non-fiction on my experience with solar. Just keep scrolling down!

The Sheriff and the Miner's Daughter

Charlene arrives in Jubilee Springs with several mail order brides coming to meet their prospective husbands. When Charlene asks Jim Hawkins, the local sheriff, the whereabouts of Amos Lehman, he thinks she is a gold digger. He claims he is trying to to keep her from ruining her life by marrying a man twice her age, but when it becomes clear Amos is her father, his interest takes a different turn.

Chase's Story

Book 10 of Grandma's Wedding Quilts

Mail Order Bride - Wanted

Hannah, Bride of Iowa, Book 29 of the historic American Mail Order Bride Series

Gabe, The Thornton Trilogy, Book 1

Gabe Thornton inherits the Double Bar Ranch from good friend and neighbor Bill (Pappy) Thomas, but there are conditions. Last Will and Testament states five hundred acres have been set aside for his only niece, or interested heirs. Molly Blackburn, who knows nothing about cattle ranching, shows up to claim her inheritance. Sparks fly! Will she give up her land or will she find more than just a cattle ranch in Bastrop?

The Ornament

Twelve years ago Jim Rustle packed up and left his home in Idaho and hasn’t looked back. He gets quite an awakening when Lisa Parker, whom he hadn’t seen in all those years, breaks into a business meeting and uses some colorful adjectives to tell him just what she thinks of him. Sparks fly between the two when he decides to follow Lisa home and sees what has happened in his absence. Is the anger stemming from the present, or from the past? It’s Christmas time. Can an ornament from years past help heal betrayals that have festered for years?

Revenge, The Cowboy Way

This is a story of love, hate, and revenge. The question is, whose revenge is it?

Jesse's Find

In the middle of nowhere, Jesse Mason finds a horse, a woman and an infant. The horse is dead and the woman has been shot. Why would somebody shoot a woman with a baby? More to the point, were they still looking for her?

Jesse's Nightmare - Book Two of the Jesse Series

The snow continues to pound the Kansas plains in late March. Something is ripping apart the livestock and animals and Jesse comes home to find his wife and daughter are missing!

Jesse's Heartbreak

Jesse and Ginny Mason’s world is shattered when Amanda Hill comes to Abilene, Kansas to try and take three-year old Sarah away from them. Little Sarah’s father died before she was born and his family wants the girl to come to Pennsylvania and live with them, and they have the all the money and expertise they need to make that happen! The Hill’s can offer the little girl prominence and station in life, while all Jesse and Ginny have to give is their complete devotion. Which will the Judge choose – money or love?

Justice Comes To Saline

Black smoke billows and a whistle blares, as the steam engine pulls into Salina, Kansas, delivering the town’s new school teacher, Victoria Stone. The people of Salina are caring and do all they can to make Victoria feel welcome and her students are finding their way into her heart. Then there’s the town’s sheriff, Jim Timmons, who is getting under her skin and turning every emotion she has inside out. But the truth is, Salina didn’t pick Victoria – She picked the town of Salina. And in her bag, Victoria isn’t toting books and school supplies. There is a score to settle in Salina, Kansas, and nothing or nobody is going to deter her from putting things right.

WESTERN ROMANCES

DO YOU ENJOY HISTORICAL WESTERN ROMANCES?The Pioneer Hearts Facebook group is a wonderful place for historical western romance authors and readers to discuss their favorite stories, recipes and photos. Join the group at www.facebook.com/groups/pioneerhearts.

Blame It On The Cherry

Julie Reed and Will Parker are soul mates. All through their high school years they talked about and planned their future together. It only took one night to destroy all they had. Julie won’t listen and moves away. Was it Will that ruined their future, or did Julie not love him enough? When Will finds her again will she give him another chance or will his deception stay buried deep inside her heart?

Her Cracked Heart

A second chance for love with a ready-made family is at Stephanie Warren’s fingertips, but ghosts of the past have a strong hold. Will she turn her back on happiness or can somebody break through her shell and help heal her cracked heart?

At What Price

What will a grandmother do to protect the ones she loves?

The Unwanted Christmas Guest

Elizabeth McMurphy is an up and coming high powered attorney and is after vengence, involving one of the richest and most powerful families in Colorado. Steve York is an obnoxious reporter that thinks the ice queen has gone too far and does all he can to get under her skin. When one of the worst blizzards in history, hits CO and leaves a hurt Steve York, stranded with Elizabeth in a mountain cabin, will she must decide to either take care of him, or throw him out to fend for himself.

Dugan's Creek

A devastated Heather Stone is headed to her sister's house for some TLC after her boyfriend of 3 years breaks up with her. "I need space. There is no sizzle in our relationship!" As if things weren't bad enough, her car dies on a lonely stretch of highway and she starts walking. She's hot, thirsty, and her feet are getting blisters. A sign says Dugan's Creek. She finds soothing cold, rushing water.....and so much more! This story is NOT for the kids!

Solar - One Family's Reality

It was going to cost $100,000 to bring electricity to our property line. We decided it was a no-brainer to go green. This is our story of our trip down Solar Lane. The pros and cons, and facts and fallacies!

Fox Tots Publishing

For the "Young"

Below are books for the beginning reader to the middle grade readers. Fairy tales to fantasy to time travel adventures! I have stories for the kiddos in your lives! Just keep scrolling down!

For the Early Readers

A delightful American tale about five-year old Ethan who is in Ms. Johnson’s Kindergarten class. He is new to the school and has not made any friends. Ethan and Timmy, a boy in his class, get in a fight over a soccer ball and both boys are sent to talk to the principal, Mr. Glumb. There are stories about this principal – scary stories! Are they true? Ethan and Timmy are about to find out!

A Story For Beginning and Young Readers

Sammy Bear goes on a search for his lost tail. He meets new friends and eats some of his favorite meals along the way. Will Sammy Bear make it home with his lost tail? At the end of the story are a few of Sammy's favorite bug recipes. Enjoy them with mom and dad or fool your friends with some delicious, creepy, bug recipes.

The Wickware Sagas

Strange things happen in Miss Wickware’s seventh grade history class. Lights flash, electricity zaps throughout the classroom, radio turns on by itself! But the most puzzling is that some of the students are transported back in time and come face to face with the person or subject that they are to do a report on. When asked about these happenings, students just aren’t talking. Word on the street points to old lady Wickware, herself. Is magic involved? Is she a witch? Alien? Or just an old lady who is passionate about history? As I said, nobody’s talking.

Riches to Rags, Book 5 of the Wickware Sagas

Dylan Jones, seventh grader at Langdon Middle School lives the good life. His family has money. He gets most everything he wants. Even so, everybody likes Dylan ’cause he is a happy go lucky kid. Miss Wickware, his seventh grade history teacher, tells the class they will be studying the United States in the late 1800 for the next few weeks. Everybody will be expected to present an oral report on a subject that is drawn from a box. Dylan draws The Orphan Train. A penniless Dylan finds himself at the train station in New York in 1875 and he is as scared and unsure as the children getting ready to ride the Orphan Train. How will Dylan make it when money is nowhere to be found?

Bumped Back In Time, Book 4 of the Wickware Sagas

Sammy Brown, winner of the first junior sailing regatta for kids, ages twelve to fourteen, is walking on air Tuesday, after being absent the previous day, due to the race. Miss Wickware, her history teacher, asks Sammy to stay after class because she needs to draw a subject out of a box and give an oral report on the drawn subject. “UHG” History and Sammy are not friends, but her good mood won’t be dampened until a fall and a bump on the head sends her back to 1814. It’s her expertise in sailing that allows Francis Scott Key to rescue an imprisoned friend from a British ship that leads to a historic battle and a famous poem!

Flash to the Past, Book 3 of the Wickware Sagas

Snooty, popular, Kristy Sawyer and nerdy brainiac, Larry Peables find themselves back in the 18 Century and meet a Revolutionary War heroine, and take part in a famous battle!

Ride of a Lifetime, Book 2 of the Wickware Sagas

Seventh grader and school bully, Jim Abernathy, is less than thrilled when he draws a boring girl to do a report on. He quickly learns a touch of humility when he storms out of his history class and into 18th Century, New York, where he meets up with Sybil Ludington. She shows him exactly what bravery is!

Billy Cooper's Awesome Nightmare

Billy finds out, on a Friday afternoon, that an oral report will be due on Monday, on the subject he draws from a box. Who the heck is William Tell? He figures he will do a quick computer search on this guy and will breeze through on this assignment. All that changes when Billy meets 14th century William Tell face to face!

The Wickware Sagas

Kids of today find themselves back in time, face to face, with historical heroes

The Bearded Dude in the Puzzle

An ancient puzzle is found while cleaning an old home. As the Taylor family works on the puzzle, strange things start to happen. An evil presence is making its way to the Taylor house, intent on making sure that puzzle never gets put together, no matter the cost, and it’s up to Bobby and Andrea to make sure that it does!

Hike Up Devil's Mountain

Three boys only hope is the witch that lives on Devil's Mountain

Hike Up Devil's Mountain

When the school bully is turned into a toad, two ten year old boys must climb Devil's Mountain to find the only person who can help them. Will they survive the trip?

A Float Down the Canal

Pam Simpson gets dumped on when her mom is called into work and she has to cancel her plans to babysit her brother and his friend. The second bomb is dropped when Pam is informed her prissy cousin is also being dropped of for Pam to entertain. The worst day of her life, turns into a day she will never forget and it all starts with a float down the canal!

50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading

I was one of the chosen!!

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About Me

I worked as an elementary school secretary for twenty-one years. I retired with my wonderful husband, to a fifty-four acre ranch, which is a constant work in progress. We live on solar and wind, which has been a real adjustment! On any given evening, the stars are an awesome sight and can be seen as far as the eye can see!